Read Demons: The Ravyn Series Online
Authors: Natalie Kiest
Demons: The Ravyn Series (35 page)
“I miss Ravyn, too,” she finally broke the silence. It was the first time anyone had mentioned her to me and the weight of finality in Abby’s sad voice felt like the final dagger piercing my heart. “Stop!” I yelled as the blue flames spouted to life in my palms. Tears spilled forth as the last of my hope was sent crumbling to the ground.
I had remained strong for my friends, but Abby’s simple admission had pushed the last of my resolve off the proverbial cliff. I could barely breathe. I was sobbing so hard and to make things worse I couldn’t keep my abilities under control.
I clenched the couch pillow which only set it on fire. Sliding off the burning couch I could feel the ground begin to shake and the wind howl outside. “Kara, please stop, you’re scaring me,” Abby begged as she tried to put the growing fire out.
I would never feel Ravyn’s gentle touch again or feel her wonderful lips against mine. I would never hear her tell me good morning or hear her sexy laugh. Her beautiful green eyes, pale skin, and cocky grin were forever gone.
The more I thought about it, the more my powers raged with fury. Shaking the house violently, knocking things from walls and shelves to the floor, the windows shattered under the force of the growing wind. The sudden pressure change in the house destroyed Abby’s effort to extinguish the flames.
Then I felt it, the familiar electrical buzz dancing in the air around me, two extremely warm hands graced my shoulders. They were two big to be Ravyn’s though. “Calm yourself, my dear. Your strength remains alive as does your love,” Lucifer spoke softly at my back. His calming words and touch immediately cut my powers off.
Looking around at the destruction I had caused I found Abby’s frightened eyes staring at me as the couch smoldered beside her. I wanted to apology profusely, but I had bigger fish to fry at the moment.
Turning to face Lucifer, I asked, “Is this some kind of joke?” “Of course not, my dear. She lives, though she is not the same,” he explained softly as he kneeled down in front of me, tenderly tucking the wild strands of my hair behind my ears. “Why isn’t she here? How could she just leave me when I need her now more than ever?”
I couldn’t believe she was alive and she left me to believe she was dead, to struggle through my nightmares and memories alone. My tears quickly returned, but now they were tears of anger and hatred. “I wish she was dead!” I shouted as I stood and turned away, stomping out of the living room.
Nebiros was waiting by the stairs to block my path. “Kara, you don’t mean that,” he whispered as he caught me in his embrace. “I do! She left me. She left me to believe I had gotten her killed,” I shouted. “You have been mourning for her all this time, only to say you wish she really was dead. That’s not what you want. You want her here, comforting you, holding you and telling you everything was going to be just fine,” Nebiros said softly as though he had plucked the words right from my mind.
“Why would she leave me like this?” I asked firmly. “She gave everything for you. She felt your pain and your fear as if she was in that room with you. She felt helpless as she destroyed innocent lives in order to find you. She is healing, just as you are healing,” Lucifer’s stern voice echoed in the foyer around me.
“You know where she is?” I asked, the sudden need to see her spurred the question. “No, but I will find her. When I do, I promise I will take you to her. You need to rest, my dear. Abby, please?” he motioned her forward.
Abigail had given me her gift of calming and I was quickly whisked away back to Ravyn’s bed. I couldn’t be more grateful to Abby, because I needed some peace from my thoughts. Abby stayed for hours, letting her calm bring me my first peaceful sleep since I had been taken.
A few days had passed since Lucifer’s sudden appearance. My wounds were now scars and my worries for Ravyn were starting to make me physically ill. It was midnight when Lucifer suddenly appeared in Ravyn’s room. “It is time,” he stated firmly.
I jumped out of bed and quickly threw on a pair of jeans then pulled on a hoodie. He escorted me down the stairs and out the front door. He drove in silence toward Chicago. Every now and then he would pull my fingers from my mouth, preventing my nervous gnawing on my finger nails, just as Ravyn had always done.
Lucifer drove slowly through downtown Chicago, then abruptly parked in front of the Chicago Tribune Tower. I smiled as I looked up at the gothic building. I should have known she would be here. She loved gothic architecture.
Lucifer led me into the beautiful building then into the elevator. I knew I shouldn’t feel safe, but I did. I knew no harm would come to me with him at my side. The silence still hung between us as we rode up in the elevator. I watched as the number neared the top floor, but it suddenly stopped on thirty-six.
The doors opened and Lucifer hooked his arm in mine pulling me off, slowly leading me toward the glass doors to the balcony. Stopping at the doors, he looked at me and smiled. “What ever happens, you must accept it. You must not force your feelings upon her. She is in a very vulnerable state, my dear. If she is ready she will welcome you with open arms. If not, you must be patient,” he explained solemnly.
Whether I was ready for rejection or not, I had to see with my own eyes that she was alive. I had to talk to her. To let her know I didn’t blame her for anything. Lucifer stood at my side, his large hand resting on my shoulder. He gave me a nod before reaching for the glass door.
The cool night air swept over me as the door opened. Cautiously, I stepped forward onto the dimly lit balcony near the top of the building. Lucifer stayed at my back as the door closed behind us. The dark figure perched on the top of the stone balcony railing came into view as my eyes adjusted. “Ravyn!” I breathed as my heart fluttered. “You dare bring her near me, old man,” Ravyn’s raspy voice growled in anger. “You will not hurt her, my child,” Lucifer assured her calmly.
I stepped closer to the ledge she was perched on. “Ravyn, come home,” I pleaded desperately. She responded with a laughter so wicked it sent chills down my spine, stopping me from stepping any closer. “Come home? Do you have any idea what I am? What I have done to you?” I shook my head as she spoke, denying her guilt. “No. It's not your fault. Please, Ravyn. I thought you were dead. You gave everything to save me,” I urged.
“I am dead! I should have let you die down there as well!” she shouted before leaping off the ledge to stand right in front of me. I couldn’t stop the tears as her words cut deep. “We can get through this, Ravyn. I know we can. Please don’t leave me alone in this. I need you,” I sobbed, reaching for her face only to have her knock my hand away.
“I did this. I failed you! I am cursed and I have cursed you!” she shouted, staring not into my eyes, but at my feet. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How was any of this her fault? How could she think such awful things?
“Go home, Kara. Never seek me out again or I will be forced to hurt you and those you will come to love,” she warned coldly. “Then kill me! Because I can’t live without you, damn it! Do it! Kill me, Ravyn!” I screamed as I hit her and pushed her with all my might and fury. But she didn’t move, she barely even budged as I beat on her.
Finally, she grabbed my wrists, holding me still as her green eyes found mine. “I love you, Ravyn. I don’t care what you are, I don’t care what you have done. I love you,” I finally said the words I had never said to her before.
Without a word, she slowly backed away stepping back onto the ledge. “What are you doing?” I worried a loud. Watching her look at the long drop behind her, then at me, my heart skipped. “No! Ravyn, please!” I begged. “I’m sorry, Kara,” She said softly as she spread her arms leaning back, letting herself fall off the building.
Running to the ledge, I watched as she fell, the cocky grin spread across her lips as she looked up at me. All I could do was watch. I was helpless as she fell further and further away. My God, how many times would I have to watch her die?
Suddenly, she turned her body as the ground grew closer, huge black wings grew out of her back stopping her fall. I watched in awe as she flew above the ground and down the street. Relief filled me and a smile crept over my lips as I watched her fly off into the dark sky.
Standing on that roof, I watched as Ravyn flew out of my life. My heart was broken, yet relieved because she was still alive. How I would carry on without her wasn’t a question I could answer at the moment.
I imagined her out there somewhere doing what she did best, causing chaos for those who sought out trouble. I imagined her fighting for those who needed help. Just knowing she was still in this world, maybe even watching over me, was enough. It gave me hope. I clung to that hope for dear life. It was all I had left.
Natalie is currently hard at work on books one and two of The Ravyn Series. She has more than a few fantasy and apocalyptic titles in the works as well. Please rate and leave a review or visit me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/strangedarkness
About the Author
Natalie is an avid music lover who enjoys writing all things dark and gritty between refilling her coffee mug. She grew up in Northwest Indiana, but has retired to the clean air of Lake Ozark, Missouri (Missoura for the natives). Writing serves as a wonderful form of therapy, allowing a fantastic escape from the rigors of life. When she is not writing you can find her in the kitchen or kicking ass on a video game.
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